"The Camry Solara was styled at our Calty Design Center in Newport Beach, Calif., and from the moment pen met paper, stylists had a convertible on their minds," said Don Esmond, Toyota Division group vice president and general manager. "That original concept - the Solara Speedster - debuted at the Chicago Auto Show, nearly three years ago. Strikingly true to that concept - the 2000 Solara convertible is now a reality."

The Solara convertible's power-folding soft-top convertible roof will feature a full headliner, automatic-down power rear-quarter windows and a large glass rear window. The optional premium JBL sound system will feature a variable-control function that adjusts bass response and volume, depending on vehicle speed and roof position.

The soft-top trim will be available in Black and Camel fabric. A rear deck spoiler will be standard on all models.

The Solara convertible will be offered in both SE and SLE trim levels, powered by the standard 2.2-liter 133 horsepower four-cylinder or optional 3.0-liter 200 horsepower V6 engine matched to a standard four-speed electronically controlled automatic transmission.

The impressive performance of the V6 is matched with efficient fuel economy with an estimated EPA city/highway mileage of 19/27. Furthermore, Solara convertibles equipped with the V6 engine will be certified as a Low Emission Vehicle (LEV).

Solara convertibles equipped with the four-cylinder will register excellent fuel economy with an estimated EPA city/highway gas mileage of 23/30. In addition, four-cylinder-equipped Solara convertibles will be classified as an Ultra Low Emission Vehicle (ULEV) (in California only).

Behind the wheel, the Solara convertible will ride on a four-wheel independent MacPherson strut suspension that will include front and rear stabilizer bars with anti-vibration subframes and gas-filled shocks. All Solara convertibles will be standard-equipped with rear disc brakes.

For those looking for a bit more in the way of control and handling, the Solara convertible will offer an Upgrade Package that includes 16-inch alloy wheels and tires, a perforated leather-wrapped steering wheel and a tighter and more controlled level of suspension tune. The package will be offered on the SE model with the V6 engine.

Occupant safety is addressed in the Solara convertible with the installation of front and rear crumple zones designed to help absorb and diffuse impact. This design is enhanced by standard safety features that include a driver- and front-passenger airbag Supplemental Restraint System (SRS), driver- and front-passenger seatbelt pretensioners and force limiters, three-point seatbelts in all seating positions, four-wheel Anti-Lock brakes and daytime running lights on the V6 model (optional on the four-cylinder SE grade). Seat-mounted side-impact airbags are offered as optional equipment on all Solara convertibles and traction control is available on the SLE grade only. All Solara convertibles will be equipped with an assortment of high-level feature content. Standard equipment on the SE grade will include:

• power windows with driver-side auto-down
• power door locks and mirrors
• air conditioning
• tilt steering wheel
• Deluxe AM/FM/Cassette/CD with six speakers
• cruise control
• wood-grain-style trim
• fog lamps
• dual-illuminated vanity mirrors

• eight-way power adjustable driver's seat
• JBL premium 3-in-1 ETR/Cassette/CD audio system with 180-watt maximum output and seven speakers
• 16-inch alloy wheels (15-inch on the four cylinder)
• leather-trimmed interior

• perforated leather-trimmed interior with eight-way power adjustable driver's seat
• 16-inch alloy wheels
• remote keyless entry with security system and engine immobilizer
• automatic climate control with an outside temperature gauge
• JBL Premium 3-in-1 ETR/Cassette/CD audio system with 180-watt maximum output and seven speakers
• heated side-view mirrors
• three function HomeLink� electronic remote-control system
• auto-dimming electro-chromatic rear-view mirror

• 1800-watt JBL Premium AM/FM ETR/Cassette/six-disc in-dash CD changer with seven speakers

The all-new convertible is a joint venture between Toyota Motor Manufacturing, Canada (TMMC) and ASC, which has opened a production facility near the Toyota plant in Cambridge, Ontario. Toyota and ASC have enjoyed a long and successful working relationship for more than 15 years. Their joint efforts have included the development and manufacturing of the Paseo convertible, which was launched in 1997, as well as a series of Celica convertibles, dating back to 1983.

The Toyota Technical Center (TTC), based in Ann Arbor, Mich., was assigned to lead the convertible development program. Its responsibilities included vehicle design, parts and materials evaluation, and dynamic vehicle evaluation at its Toyota Arizona Proving Ground, near Phoenix. TTC engineers worked closely with ASC during the development phase and have worked on-sight at the new ASC facility during the initial production start-up period.

The Solara convertible will be built in a dual process. A coupe body shell will be built at TMMC, then trucked to the nearby ASC facility. ASC will remove the top and perform convertible-specific structural reinforcement. The body then will be trucked back to TMMC where it goes through the entire paint process and is fitted with running gear and interior. The car returns to ASC for final detail work including interior trim, quarter windows and convertible top installation.

TMMC is the exclusive production site for the Camry Solara. The facility employs 2,700 people and is a three-time recipient of the J.D. Power Gold Plant Award for Initial Quality. The 2.8 million square-foot facility, which also produces the Corolla, has a combined capacity of 200,000 units per year.

"The Camry Solara coupe had strong appeal among buyers seeking a spacious, upscale touring car, with plenty of power, and great value," said Esmond. "With the Solara convertible, we have a vehicle with more attitude. It is a vehicle that will be seen as a reward, especially among buyers who are free of commitments that may have dictated the kinds of vehicles they owned in the past. This is a vehicle that declares..it's my turn."

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